Friday, October 29, 2010

ACCORDING TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE, A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR APPOINTED TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS AGAINEST UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONER SANDRA TRICE , WILL NOT PRESENT EVIDENCE TO THE NOVEMBER GRAND JURY THAT MEETS MONDAY. THE GEORGIA INSURANCE COMMISSIONERS OFFICE RAIDED HER BUSINESSES EARLIER IN THE YEAR, TRICE FUNERAL HOME, AFTER COMPLAINTS AFTER FRAUDULENT RE-NEED FUNERAL INSURANCE SALES. THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY ASKED THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE TO LOCATE A PROSECUTOR BECAUSE THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SET THE D.A.’S BUDGET, THUS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. THE STATE A.G. FOUND A PROSECUTOR IN THE CHATTAHOOCHEE CIRCUIT, BUT APPARENTLY THE INVESTIGATION IS NOT COMPLETE, BY THAT ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Spalding County Interim Manager Tim Whalen has served notice on Firefighter Terrence Reid that the County is terminating his employment. The basis of the termination is Mr. Reid’s misconduct in violation of two subsections of Article VIII, Section 7 of the Spalding County Personnel Ordinance.

Subsection 7(u) prohibits willfully giving or making false statements to supervisors, officials or the public. During the course of the discovery of the existence of the video and the County’s investigation, Mr. Reid gave misleading and false statements to his supervisor and the investigator repeatedly regarding who he shared the video with and who he talked to about its existence. Lying will not be tolerated by the County from any of its employees and is grounds for Mr. Reid’s termination.

Subsection 7(b) prohibits conduct unbecoming a public officer or employee. That Mr. Reid recklessly disregarded the humanity of Ms. Kempson-Schacht and the people he was obligated to serve is clear and obvious. Although it does not appear that Mr. Reid intended to cause harm with his actions, his egregious conduct has created grave negative feelings towards all Spalding County Firefighters and has eroded the public’s confidence in the department and in Spalding County.

Subsection 7(r) prohibits violating departmental rules. At the time Mr. Reid used his cell phone to film video of Ms. Kempson-Schacht at the scene of her fatal accident, there was a Fire Department policy prohibiting use of cell phones without the permission of a supervisor. However, the investigation into this matter revealed that this policy was interpreted differently by different shift commanders and that personnel likely were not trained sufficiently on the policy. Therefore, any violation of that policy cannot serve as grounds for termination.

The Spalding County Board of Commissioners has narrowed the list of candidates for the position of County Manager to two finalists. The finalists are Mr. Tim Whalen and Mr. James Coleman.

Mr. Whalen has been employed in the Spalding County Tax Assessors Office since 1976 and has been the Chief Appraiser since 1982. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Valdosta State University and a J.D. degree from Atlanta Law School. Mr. Whalen is currently serving as Interim County Manager.

Mr. Coleman was the City Manager & Airport Manager of Williston, Florida from 2004-2008, Acting City Engineer & Interim Public Works Director of Leesburg, Florida from 2003-2004, Town Manager of Lady Lakes, Florida from 1999-2003, Director of Personnel & Risk Management of DeLand, Florida from 1994-1999 and Longwood, Florida from 1989-1994. He served in the US Army from 1971-1985 rising to the rank of Captain. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration from the University of Central Florida.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE THOMASTON UPSON INDUSTRIAL AUTHORITY, J.R. CHARLES SAYS OCTOBER WAS NOT AS ACTIVE AS SEPTEMBER FOR PROSPECTS,BUT A COUPLE CAME CALLLING. ONE CALLED PROJECT HENDERSON WOULD BE A $4 MILLION INVESTMENT WITH 40 JOBS. A 2ND PROSPECT WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE SPEC BUILDING BUT EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT THE LABOR POOL. THAT COMPANY IS DEVELOPING A SHORT LIST OF POTENTIAL SITES TO BE RELEASED NEXT WEEK. THE IDA APPROVED A CHANGE TO A LETTER OF INDUCEMENT FOR A $5.7 MILLION INDUSTRIAL REVENUE BOND FOR ANIMAL HEALTH AND SCIENCE,LOCATING IN THE YAMAHA BUILDING. SUN TRUST BANK HAS APPROVED THE FINANCING. REPORTING ON THE RECENT MEETING OF THE MANUFACTURERS ROUNDTABLE, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SAID QUAD GRAPHICS IS GOING GANG-BUSTERS WITH ITS HOLIDAY PRINTING BUSINESS, BUT OTHER FIRMS ARE JUST GETTING BY.

District 4 Public Health and the Upson County Health Department are investigating a suspected tuberculosis case that may have potentially exposed community members to the disease.

Public Health officials have notified people determined to be in close contact with the suspected case and putting them at risk of infection, approximately 11 people will receive continued medical evaluation for positive exposure to the tuberculosis germ.

Free tuberculin skin tests were offered to contacts on a voluntary basis.

According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, 10% of people in the general population tested for TB will have a positive reaction to the TB skin test. The total number of people having a positive reaction in this instance falls within the average for a large group.

Michael Brackett, District 4 Health Director said TB is an infectious disease that is typically spread from person to person through airborne droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can be treated and cured over a period of time with proper medications.

After receiving a report from Atlanta attorney Christopher Balch, the Spalding County Commissioners have identified the firefighter that distributed a video of an accident victim’s body as Terrance Reid.

Reid is on paid leave pending the outcome of the investigation into the distribution of a graphic video made on his personal cell phone of the body of 23 year old Dayna Kempson-Schacht on July 17, 2010. Dayna is the daughter of Pike County residents Jeffrey and Lucretia Kempson.

According to investigators, the video was allegedly shown to patrons at Buffalo’s Southwest Cafe in Griffin where the victim was recognized and the family was notified.

Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Scott Ballard has determined that there are no laws pertaining to the filming of an accident victim at the scene by emergency personnel. The only recourse against Reid available to the family is through a civil action.

Monday, October 25, 2010

THE UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FINALIZED THE PROPOSED 2011 BUDGET, DURING A WORK SESSION, FRIDAY. ITS ALMOST $59,000 LESS THAN THE CURRENT BUDGET AND NO FURLOUGH DAYS FOR COUNTY EMPLOYEES ARE PLANNED. CHAIRMAN MAURICE RAINES AID THE $13.2 MILLION BUDGET INCLUDES REVENUES OF $11 MILLION FOR TAXES,$885,000 FOR FINES AND FEES,$36,000 FOR GRANTS AND SUBSIDIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT REIMBUSEMENT OF $525,000.THE LARGEST LINE ITEM IS INSURANCE,RETIREMENT AND INTEREST,$2.3 MILLION, JOINT PROJECTS 1.9,JAIL OPERATIONS 1.5 AND THE SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT 1.3 MILLION. THE BUDGETS FOR THE SHERIFF AND JAIL BOTH DECREASED IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET.CHAIRMAN RAINES SAID ITS A FIRST, THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAVE NEVER COMPLETED THE BUDGET BY NOVEMBER IST, PUBLIC HEARINGS WILL BE SCHEDULED. THE UPCOMING SPLOST WAS ALSO DISCUSSED DURING THE WORK SESSION,ITS LOOKS TO BE AN $18MILLION,6 YEAR SALES TAX MEASURE.ACCORDING TO THE CHAIRMAN, THE BIG CONCERNS FOR THE COMMISSIONERS IN THE NEXT SPLOST INCLUDE RECREATION,BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS, AND ROADS. HE PLANS A SECOND MEETING WITH THE CITY OF THOMASTON AND CITY OF YATESVILLE, SOON, TO MOVE FOWARD ON SPLOST PLANNING. THE MEASURE WILL PROBABLY BE ON THE BALLOT IN MARCH.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

The Thomaston City Council approved a tax equity study to be conducted by Governmental Enterprises of Richmond Hill, Georgia at Tuesday’s meeting. The cost will be approximately $30,000 and the study will take about 90 days to complete. Mayor Hays Arnold said that City Hall is seeking equity and fairness in taxation. The mayor said the study is not a personal attack on anyone but an effort to get at the truth and obtain the facts.

Two consultants from the firm will review the city and county books looking at tax revenues and expenditures to arrive at their findings. City Attorney Joel Bentley outlined the two purposes of the study:

1. To eliminate duplication of services.

2. To prevent an overlap in taxes.

Attorney Bentley noted that the joint projects agreement between the city and county expired in March, it had been part of the comprehensive plan drawn up over a decade ago.

Mayor Arnold stated that he believes the county commissioners would support the city’s efforts. Such studies are common and only one has ended up in court, the city of Auburn, Georgia sued Gwinnett County.

ITS HOMECOMING WEEK AT UPSON LEE HIGH SCHOOL AND THE UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT HAS ALREADY STARTED GETTING CALLS ABOUT PRANKS, YARDS ROLLED AND SUCH,BUT IT COULD BE GOING TOO FAR. AN ELDERLY MAN WITH NO KIDS OR GRANDKIDS IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM REPORTED HIS TRUCK GOT DOUSED WITH MUSTARD ON EAST COUNTY ROAD. ON WALLER ROAD SHREDDED PAPER WAS THROWN IN THE SHRUBBERY AND TREES. SARAN WRAP WAS PLACED AROUND THE FRONT PORCH STEPS AT THE RESIDENCE AND LIQUID LAUNDRY DETERGENT WAS POURED OVER IT TO MAKE IT SLIPPERY. VIOLATORS CAN BE CHARGED WITH CRIMINAL TRESPASS , ACCORDING TO THE S.O.

A MURDER CASE ON THE CALENDAR FOR OCTOBER TERM OF PIKE SUPERIOR COURT HAS BEEN CONTINUED. ADRIAN THOMPSON IS CHARGED WITH THE SHOTGUN SLAYING OF MARK MCCULLOUGH AFTER A DISAGREEMENT AT A ZEBULON APARTMENT IN 2008. THE CASE WAS CONTINUED BECAUSE AN EXPERT WITNESS WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO TESTIFY.

Monday, October 18, 2010

A TAX EQUITY STUDY PROPOSAL IS ON TUESDAY’S 7PM AGENDA OF THE THOMASTON MAYOR AND COUNCIL,THAT COULD DETERMINE IF CITY HALL IS GETTING ITS FAIR SHARE OF TAX REVENUES. DURING A WORK SESSION WEDNESDAY, A CONSULTANT, BARRY HALL TOLD THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL, A STUDY WILL REVIEW THE BOOKS OF THE COUNTY OF UPSON AND CITY OF THOMASTON TO GET AN ACCURATE PICTURE OF THE TAX BREAK-DOWN. COUNCIL SAYS CURRENTLY THE TAX DIVISION IS ALL SPECULATION, AND WITH THE COUNTY’S DESIRE TO TAKE OVER JOINT PROJECTS AND AN UPCOMING SPLOST, AN ACCURATE ACCOUNTING IS NEEDED. HALL WARNED CITY OFFICIALS THE STUDY MIGHT NOT TURN OUT IN THEIR FAVOR,BUT MAYOR HAYS ARNOLD TOLD HIM ITS THE ONLY WAY TO BRING TRANSPARENCY TO THE PUBLIC AND RESOLVE THE ISSUES. HALL’S FIRM,GOVERNMENT ENTERPRISES OF RICHMOND HILL, GA. COULD GET STARTED ON A STUDY AS EARLY AT NOV. IST, AND THE STUDY, AIMED AT EDUCATING THE PUBLIC , WOULD TAKE 90 DAYS. TAX ISSUES BETWEEN GWINNETT COUNTY AND ITS CITIES WENT TO COURT,BUT HALL THAT’S RARE, IF THERE IS A TAX INEQUITY, GOVERNMENTS USUALLY WORK THINGS OUT. HE CITED THREE AREAS OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT THAT GIVE TROUBLE ON SEPERATION OF REVENUES; COUNTY VECHILES AND ROADS DEPARTMENTS AND THE PATROL DIVISION OF THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE. CITY MANAGER PATRICK COMISKEY SAID PROPOSALS ON THE UPCOMING SPLOST GIVES CITY HALL ONLY ONE DOLLAR FOR EVERY 4 OR 5.

A MOTORCYCLE CRASH JUST SOUTH OF THE POTATO CREEK BRIDGE ON U.S.19 SATURDAY, WAS CAUSED BY A DEER JUMPING INTO THE CHEST OF THE RIDER. THOMASTON POLICE OFFICER DAVID STORY SAID 53 YEAR OLD JEFFREY PARROTT OF HALL STREET RECEIVED A BROKEN LEG AND FRACTURED RIBS WHEN HE WAS KNOCKED OFF HIS BIKE, BY THE SMALL DEER WHO DIED. THE ACCIDENT SNARLED TRAFFIC IN THE AREA.

Thomaston’s Cam Short and older brother Chas Short will both appear in televised college football games this week.

The first game is tonight when Cam and the 19th ranked Valdosta State Blazers travel to Florence, Alabama to take on the 3rd ranked North Alabama Lions. Kickoff is at 8 pm Eastern and will be televised live on Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast.

Chas is the kickoff specialist for the Furman Paladins who travel to Birmingham, Alabama, this Saturday to take on the Samford Bulldogs, kickoff for the SportSouth televised contest is set for 2:00 pm Eastern.

For more details on this football family click the Fun 101 Sports link on the right or click HERE.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

THE ALCOHOL LICENSE AT THE PONDEROSA STEAK HOUSE ON NORTH CENTER STREET HAS BEEN SUSPENDED FOR SIX MONTHS BY CITY OF THOMASTON JUDGE DAVID FOWLER. DURING MUNICIPAL COURT,TUESDAY,THE LICENSEE, ANDY YORK ENTERED A GUILTY PLEA TO CHARGES OF SELLING ALCOHOL PAST LEGAL HOURS. JUDGE FOWLER SENTENCED YORK TO SIX MONTHS IN JAIL THAT CAN BE SERVED ON PROBATION IF A FINE OF $750 IS PAID AND IF HE SERVES 40 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE. AND THE BUSINESS CANNOT SERVE ALCOHOL FOR SIX MONTHS.

A TEEN WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE E.R. BY UPSON EMS FOLLOWING A MONDAY ACCIDENT ON GOSHEN ROAD.CASSANDRA O’CONNELL ,18, OF ALLENWOOD ROAD,REPORTEDLY HAD INJURIES TO THE LOWER BODY.ACCORDING TO THE GA. STATE PATROL, SHE WAS DRIVING A LANDROVER,WENT INTO A CURVE TOO FAST,CROSSED THE CENTER LINE,LEFT THE ROAD, AND HIT A TREE.

THE THOMASTON POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS RELEASED THE REPORT ON AN ACCIDENT SATURDAY IN THE FALL FEST PARADE THAT RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF AN UPSON COUNTY MAN. JOE CHAPIN,67 OF PLEASANT VALLEY ROAD, MOLENA,WAS PICKING UP CANDY THROWN FROM THE PARADE WHEN A FLOAT RAN OVER HIM.WITNESSES TOLD POLICE CHAPIN HAD AN ARM FULL OF CANDY AND WHEN THE PARADE STOPPED ON EAST LEE STREET HE WENT UNDER THE TRAILER. SUDDENLY, THE PARADE STARTED MOVING, HE HIT HIS HEAD ON IT AND FELL UNDERNEATH THE REAR TIRES. HE DIED IN AN AIR AMBULANCE ENROUTE TO MACON. A WITNESS TOLD POLICE, THE DRIVER HAD NO FAULT IN THE MISHAP.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Joe Chapin, 67, of Pleasant Valley Road in Upson County died as a result of injuries sustained during Saturday’s Fall Fest Parade.

According to Thomaston Police Chief Dan Greathouse, the accident occurred at the intersection of East Lee Street and Oglethorpe Way.

A flatbed tractor trailer was being used as a float in the parade and Mr. Chapin’s grandson was reportedly on the trailer as a member of a recreation football team. Mr. Chapin attempted to pick up a piece of candy thrown from the trailer as it was passing by, he lost his balance, fell under the trailer and was run over by the rear wheels.

An air ambulance landed at the old football field behind the Thomaston Government Complex and transferred him to an area hospital.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

THOMASTON’S POLICE CHIEF DAN GREATHOUSE TOLD TGA NEWS,WEDNESDAY, HE PLANS TO MEET WITH A CITIZEN WHO LEVELED CRITICISM AT THE P.D. BEFORE THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL,TUESDAY. ROBERT CHATMAN OF 93 AVE.J. SAID MORE POLICE VISIBILITY IS NEEDED IN THE THIRD STREET-AVE.J. AREA. HE SAID THERE IS DRUG ACTIVITY,ILLEGAL LIQUOR SALES AND YOUTHS LOITERING,AND IF SOMETHING IS NOT DONE, THE NEIGHBORHOOD WILL BE LOST TO THE DRUG DEALERS. HE CHARGED THAT POLICE CARS ARE PARKED IN THE COUNTY AT THE RESIDENCES OF FEMALES, AND OFFICERS HAVE TOLD HIM THERE IS LOW MORALE AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. COUNCIL MEMBER PATSY PERDUE TOLD HIM A LIST OF POLICE ACTIVITIES AND PATROLS WAS AVAILABLE AT THE LAST MEETING OF THE AVENUES NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION. CHIEF GREATHOUSE SAID WEDNESDAY A NEW ORDIANCE ON DISORDERLY HOUSES PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY NIGHT, WILL HELP CLEAN-UP LIQUOR HOUSES AND LOUD MUSIC. ALSO DURING THE MEETING A DELEGATION LEAD BY HENRY WILDER PRESENTED A PETITION WITH 500 SIGNATURES TO RE-NAME CEDAR ROW FOR THE LATE JOE WHITE., CALLED AN OUTSTANDING CITIZEN BY MEMBERS OF COUNCIL. THE REQUEST WAS TAKEN UNDER ADVISEMENT.

THE THOMASTON UPSON BOARD OF EDUCATION HAS VOTED FOR ARCHITECTS ON THE PROPOSED PERFORMING ARTS CENTER TO MOVE FOWARD WITH THE DESIGN, A DESIGN THAT WOULD INCLUDE CLASSROOMS FOR BAND AND DRAMA. DURING TUESDAY’S MEETING,JAYE EUBANKS OF THE PROJECT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AGREED WITH THE BOARD, THE FIRST COST ESTIMATE FROM MANLEY,SPANGLER,AND SMITH ARCHITECTS,$7.4 MILLION, WAS MORE THAN HE EXPECTED.BUT HE CALLED ON THE BOARD TO ALLOW THE DESIGN PROCESS TO PROCEED TO GET SOME HARD NUMBERS ON THE COST.BOARD MEMBER TERRELL JACKSON,WHO MADE THE MOTION AND STEVE SADLER,WHO CAST THE ONLY VOTE AGAINEST IT, SAID THEY HAD HEARD NOTHING ABOUT CLASSROOMS IN THE COMPLEX UNTIL A RECENT WORK SESSION. THEY QUESTIONED THE MILLION DOLLAR COST. A CITIZEN AT THE MEETING, GARY SELF TOLD THE BOARD,WHEN HE ATTENDED THE PUBLIC MEETINGS ON THE SPLOST PROJECT, HE UNDERSTOOD IT WOULD COST BETWEEN 6.4 AND 7 MILLION,BUT NOW IT LOOKS TO GO TO 9 MILLION. THE 7.4 ESTIMATE DOES NOT INCLUDE ARCHITECT,LEGAL AND BOND FEES, WHICH COULD ADD OVER HALF A MILLION OR MORE TO THE COST.MR.JACKSON SAID THE BOARD NEEDS TO KNOW THE BOTTOM LINE BECAUSE ITS ACCOUNTABLE . THE CONSENSUS FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD AND EUBANKS, LET THE ARCHITECTS COMPLETE THE DESIGN AND IF ITS TOO COSTLY, START CUTTING ITEMS FROM THE PROJECT.

Monday, October 4, 2010

DURING PUBLIC COMMENT AT THE SEPTEMBER 26TH MEETING OF THE UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, JENNIE HAMMOND OF BONDS ROAD COMPLAINED BONDS ROAD HAS BEEN OVERLOOKED FOR RESURFACING. SHE MENTIONED PEACHBELT ROAD AND FIRETOWER ROAD WERE RESURFACED ALTHOUGH THEY WERE IN GOOD SHAPE. CHAIRMAN MAURICE RAINES DIRECTED HER TO CONTACT THE COUNTY MANGER TO GET A PRIORITY LIST FOR ROAD PAVING. IN OTHER ACTION THE COMMISSIONERS APPROVED PURCHASE OF ARCHIVING EQUIPMENT FOR E-911, $11,500 FROM EDGE ONE SOLUTIONS OF NORTH CAROLINA. THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WILL RECORD AND ARCHIVE ALL CALLS TO 911 AND STORE THEM FOR FIVE YEARS, OVER 50,000 HOURS OF CAPACITY. DANIELLE MCRAE OF THE PROBATE COURT WAS NAMED EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH. SHE WILL BECOME CHIEF DEPUTY OF THE PROBATE COURT JAN. IST.

DEFACS INVESTIGATING AFTER A TWO YEAR OLD BABY BOY WAS SPOTTED WALKING UNATTENDED ON TRIUNE MILL ROAD. A WITNESS SITTING IN HIS YARD CALLED 911 AND UPSON S.O. STOPPED TRAFFIC UNTIL SOMEONE RECOGNIZED THE CHILD AND TOLD DEPUTIES HIS FATHER IS JOSH STROM AND HE LIVED DOWN THE ROAD. JOSH STROM SAID HIS SON CAYDEN IS ALWAYS TRYING TO OPEN DOORS AND GO OUTSIDE AND HE WAS NOT AWARE HE HAD LEFT THE RESIDENCE AT 1062 TRIUNE MILL ROAD. THE CHILD WAS WEARING A DIAPER AND SHIRT AND WAS O.K. AFTER HIS TREK, DEPUTIES SAID.

Friday, October 1, 2010

SWEARING-IN CEREMONIES FOR THE TWO NEW SUPERIOR COURT JUDGES IN THE GRIFFIN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY OCTOBER 4 AT 3PM BY GOVERNOR SONNY PERDUE IN THE HOUSE CHAMBERS AT THE STATE CAPITAL. PIKE COUNTY’S FIRST EVER SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE , ROBERT’MACK CRAWFORD, AND FAYETTE COUNTY’S STATE COURT JUDGE FLETCHER SAMS, FORMER DISTRICT ATTORNEY, AND ATLANTA ATTORNEY CARLA WONG MCMILLIAN WILL BE SWORN-IN, SUCCEEDING JUDGE SAMS AS FAYETTE’S STATE COURT JUDGE. SAMS AND CRAWFORD ARE FILLING THE JUDGESHIPS ONCE HELD BY JUDGE JOHNNIE CALDWELL AND CHIEF JUDGE PASCAL ENGLISH. JUDGE CRAWFORD WILL BE BASED AT THE UPSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE AND JUDGE SAM’S OFFICE WILL BE IN FAYETTE COUNTY. JUDGE ENGLISH’S CASES HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED TO CRAWFORD, SAMS WILL HAVE JUDGE CALDWELL’S CASES.